Stop it!! Go Big or Go Home.

How many times in life do we lose because we played it safe?  There have been numerous sports teams who held a strong lead heading into the final quarter of a game only to lose the lead because they changed their game plan. They initially took the lead because of their aggressive "go big or go home" mentality only to lose because at some point they started playing it safe. I am convinced that life wasn't made to play safe.

• Play it safe with your kids and miss out on HUGE life changing conversations.
• Play it safe in your work only to meet status quo.
• Play it safe in your relationships only to miss the excitement and thrill of risk (and the growth that comes through it).
• Play it safe in your recovery only to miss out on the opportunity to help others.

I believe it is time more people stepped out of the comfort zone and chose to go big or go home!

The two main factors that keep us from going big is our tendency to preserve and protect. We attempt to preserve our comfort and protect our liability. For example, preserving my standard of living has easily kept me from reaching for bigger dreams and bigger impact. Protecting my wife from the fear that comes from the unknown and preserving security has kept me from stepping out and up. Preserving the way others view me and protecting my pride has kept me from going big or going home.

In an effort to preserve and protect have you chosen to pass on a God-given dream or ambition?

Today, I have chosen to take responsibility and ownership in the face of preservation and protection. When I focus on preservation and protection I end up feeling powerless and paralyzed but when I focus on responsibility and ownership I end up energized and empowered. Ownership means taking the daily steps necessary the create new realities. Taking responsibly means leading in your life and initiatives.

So what will it be for you today, will you preserve and protect your life or strive after your dreams with responsibility and ownership?

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Did you hear about what is coming? Can you believe it?

Ever struggled to sleep at night because of your anticipation for the next day? You might be leaving on a much needed vacation, going out on a first date, meeting with you boss about a promotion, or preparing to walk your daughter down the aisle. It is an incredible feeling as you lay awake - you know something amazing is about to be completed in your life but it is just hours from reach. Even though you miss the sleep, the thrill and excitement about what is to come is better.

The bible paints a similar picture of eager expectation for what is to come. Romans 8:19 says,

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." 

This verse paints a picture of all inclusive anticipation. The trees, the flowers, the wind, the rain, the birds, the rumblings of the earth, the people - everyone eagerly anticipating God's presence revealed through his sons and daughters. Some people are looking for God in everything around them; in every event, circumstance, and encounter. Other people doubt that God is really working in the world at all and no special moment or conversation is connected to God's divine participation. So who is right?

When we are not looking for God moments we miss them. The difference between those who are constantly seeing and experiencing God in creation and those who are not is heart and eyes. Align your life to God and watch for him to show up. I believe creation is on fire. Creation is ecstatic as it sees glimpses and flashes of God like lighting across the sky. He is everywhere and working in everything.

How would you life change if you woke up today with eager anticipation of the revealing of God? I believe God is longing today to reveal you as "sons of God" and in turn send creation into a chaotic uproar of applause.

Have an Idea? Do this...

Why is it that are dreams never become realities? I think it comes down to two things.

Death to day dreaming.

Each day leaves no time for day dreaming. We run from one meeting to the next, one sales call to another, kids soccer game to kids church event, and the list goes on. When do you have time to dream? The future success of your career, hobbies, kids, and far fetched aspirations is dependent on developing dreams. Take time to stop and write down what you want life to become. Once you paint a fairly comprehensive picture then your dream begins to look more like a possibility.

Death to strategy.

For some reason when it comes to dreams we have this warped belief that they will just magically happen. They are dreams after all and so they are mysterious and cannot be planned out. Almost like we just hope to wake up one day and find out our latest blog post went platinum. Unless you work strategically on growing your readership and spreading your message it will just be you and your mom reading the post. Put together a specific strategy to accomplish your dreams with key steps to work on daily. The absence of a plan will leave a dream,  just that, a dream.

Start dreaming and start strategizing and watch your dream become your reality.